The United States Supreme Court is one of the most powerful and least understood institutions in American government. As the highest court in the land, it plays a critical role in shaping law, protecting constitutional rights, and maintaining the balance of power among the three branches of government. But despite its prominence, many people hold misconceptions about what the Court is, what it does, and how it operates. Everyone loves the party game “Two Truths and a Lie.” Can you identify which of the following statements about the United States Supreme Court is a lie?
A. The Supreme Court’s primary role is to interpret the Constitution and decide if laws are constitutional.
B. The Supreme Court has the power to overturn laws passed by Congress and actions taken by the president.
C. The Supreme Court can enforce its own decisions.
Let’s take these statements one at a time:
A. TRUTH! The Supreme Court’s most essential function is to act as the final interpreter of the Constitution. The Court clarifies constitutional language, such as what counts as “equal protection” or “free speech,” shaping how the Constitution applies to numerous areas of life. The Court helps define the limits of government power, and also settles disputes between federal and state laws. The Supreme Court’s interpretations set national binding precedents on how lower courts apply the Constitution across the country. These precedents become the standard for all federal and state courts to follow, unifying legal interpretations nationwide.
B. TRUTH! The Supreme Court can and does strike down laws it finds unconstitutional, even if those laws were passed by overwhelming majorities in Congress or signed by the president. Through a power known as judicial review, the Court can evaluate laws and government actions to determine whether they align with constitutional principles. This power was not explicitly stated in the Constitution but was established in the landmark 1803 case Marbury v. Madison. Chief Justice John Marshall asserted that the Supreme Court’s responsibility to overturn unconstitutional legislation was a necessary consequence of its sworn duty to uphold the Constitution.
The Court can also block executive actions, such as executive orders or agency regulations, if they violate the Constitution or exceed legal authority. In this way, the Court serves as a check on the legislative and executive branches, helping to prevent abuses of power and protect individual rights and liberties.
C. LIE! Although the Supreme Court is the final authority on what the Constitution means, it does not have the power to enforce its own decisions. The Court issues rulings, but it relies on the executive branch and on public institutions to carry them out and on the legislative branch to fund or support compliance through laws or oversight. This limitation is not a flaw; it reflects the careful system of checks and balances designed by the Constitution.
After the Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, many Southern states delayed or outright resisted compliance. In 1957, when the Arkansas Governor used the National Guard to block Black students from entering Little Rock Central High School, the Supreme Court had no ability to enforce its ruling. It took President Eisenhower sending federal troops to enforce the Court’s decision.
Similarly, in Worcester v. Georgia (1832), the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Cherokee Nation’s sovereignty, but President Andrew Jackson wouldn’t enforce the decision. The federal government’s inaction allowed the forced removal of the Cherokee people (the Trail of Tears) to proceed in defiance of the Court’s decision.
These examples highlight that the Supreme Court’s power relies on the cooperation of other branches of government and the broader legal system to honor its decisions.
Bottom Line: The Supreme Court plays a vital role in interpreting the Constitution and shaping American law and society. Through its decisions, it ensures that the principles of justice, equality, and the rule of law are upheld. As the highest court in the land, its influence extends far beyond individual cases, reinforcing the balance of power and protecting the rights of all citizens.